As far as looking for key switches, for functionality, I rather liked Sellam's
suggestion implying that an old PC Keyboard (not a rarity) might provide
sufficient switches. Moreover, with a good software package and a hi-res
printer, you could make key legends that you can rubber-cement to the keycaps
and paint over with clear laquer. If you don't mind that they're less durable,
you can even use the (clear vinyl, not "magic") scotch tape to keep from rubbing
off the legends. The caps come off the keytops, and if you are careful you can
do this so it looks good and works very well.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ross Archer" <dogbert_at_mindless.com>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 8:31 PM
Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
>
>
> Richard Erlacher wrote:
>
> > Look "good" ... ??? ... Depends on your preferences, I guess.
> >
> > A big part of the question of HOW to go about fixing this is to answer the
> > question of whether your goal is to restore the KIM-1 to its original
condition
> > for historical authenticity or whether you'd just as soon have something
that
> > works well instead.
>
> Operational is the main thing, but I'd be thrilled to restore it if the
opportunity
> came up.
>
> My main interest in the KIM and other really simple machines is as a
> hands-on demo of what being a computerist was like in the early days
> of microcomputers, before the keyboard, box, and monitor
> paradigm took hold. Extra points for toggle switches too. :)
>
> I've seen interest in the thing from visitors who are
> into computers, and so far all were less "what a quaint but completely
> prehistoric piece of junk" than "wow, I can't believe a machine with
> 1/1000th the CPU speed and 1/64,000th the memory can play
> Hunt the Wumpus and other games and they're even a little fun." :)
> It's a tribute to doing an amazing amount with what by modern standards
> seems preposterously little, and I think preserving this realization is part
> of what being "into" classic computers can be about.
>
>
>
> > If the former is your goal, then you've a lot of hunting to
> > do, but may eventually find out how to modify some other product to fit the
> > application. On the other hand, there are lots of available keypads, or, if
you
> > prefer, lots of available individual keyswitches with removable/clear-capped
> > tops, that you can build a really decent and servicable keypad that you can
> > attach to the auxilliary connector in order to substitute it for the
original
> > without having first to remove the existing keypad. It seems to me that
they
> > should work quite well in parallel.
>
> Okay. I try the regular electronics outlets. I'll try specifically keyboard
> manufacturers (ALPs, Cherry, etc. I guess) and see what I can dig up.
>
> >
> >
> > I don't know that Commodore actually fabricated the keypads themselves, and,
in
> > fact, rather doubt it, so it's likely someone, somewhere, will have used a
> > similar keypad, or, at least, similar switches, so that will provide you
with
> > amusement at swapmeets and junk sales. Moreover, if you haven't yet looked
at
> > third-party switch catalogs, I'd certainly recommend that so you can explore
> > replacing the keypad with a possibly more durable and/or convenient, yet
> > cosmetically similar keypad.
> >
> > This will require some serious head-scratching.
> >
> > Dick
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Ross Archer" <dogbert_at_mindless.com>
> > To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 1:17 AM
> > Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
> >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Ethan Dicks <ethan_dicks_at_yahoo.com>
> > > To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 1:21 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > --- Richard Erlacher <edick_at_idcomm.com> wrote:
> > > > > It's pretty hard to tell whether it's the keypad or the circuit that's
> > > > > malfunctioning. How did you determine it's the keypad itself?
> > > >
> > > > Looking at the schematic, it appears to be a simple matrix. Short a
> > > particular
> > > > X and Y line for the questionable key. If it "strikes", it's the
keypad.
> > > > If it still flakes out, it could be a component or trace.
> > > >
> > >
> > > Right. It's a 3 x 7 array with 2 keys wired to a 556 for ST (step) and
> > > RS (reset).
> > >
> > > I've already tested the broken keys via the edge connector, and they're
> > > working fine. Not that there was too much doubt, as the buttons
> > > involved are either caved in or "feel like they're not connecting
> > > with anything". So a 3x7 + 2 switch setup should do the trick,
> > > but what would look good.
> > >
> > > > -ethan
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > =====
> > > > Even though my old e-mail address is no longer going to
> > > > vanish, please note my new public address: erd_at_iname.com
> > > >
> > > > The original webpage address is still going away. The
> > > > permanent home is: http://penguincentral.com/
> > > >
> > > > See http://ohio.voyager.net/ for details.
> > > >
> > > > __________________________________________________
> > > > Do You Yahoo!?
> > > > Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
> > > > http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
> > > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
Received on Thu Apr 12 2001 - 01:12:50 BST